Man City furious after Liverpool fan allegedly Spat on a member of Guardiola’s coaching staff
Manchester City has submitted a formal complaint and an investigation is ongoing after a member of Guardiola’s coaching staff was allegedly spat on.
Pep Guardiola was apoplectic with the performance of referee Paul Tierney before Manchester City lodged a complaint with Liverpool over fan behavior in the stands.
City alleged that a member of their backroom team sat behind Guardiola in the dugout, was spat at during the second half of Sunday’s pulsating 2-2 draw at Anfield.
The incident is said to have taken place in the immediate aftermath of Phil Foden’s equalizer, with Liverpool now investigating the allegation. City says they have footage of the fan.
‘I heard someone from the crowd saying something not nice to our staff but I don’t know exactly what,’ Guardiola said.
‘I didn’t see the images. Liverpool is much, much greater than one person so nothing will change (in how) I admire this club, absolutely not”.
‘The same thing happened a few years ago when they destroyed our bus when we came here. It is certain people, not Liverpool FC. It is always a pleasure to come to this stadium; it’s an honor for this atmosphere, how they support the team.’
Guardiola had been left seething on the touchline during a frenetic second period when he twice saw his team come from behind to battle to a draw.
Guardiola suggested Tierney had shied back from showing James Milner a second yellow card for a foul on Bernardo Silva before Liverpool’s right-back was hooked and Guardiola booked following his animated protestations.
‘Referees have emotions and he (Tierney) knows when he’s going to see the action, he will know it’s a yellow card,’ he added.
‘I understand the pressure, the referee has the pressure, a decision has to be made in one second.
‘It was clear, with 25 minutes left and at that moment it was 1-1. Now I’m more or less satisfied because we drew, but had we lost I would be angrier.
‘It’s clear. It’s Anfield, it’s (like) Old Trafford. In our situation, a City player is sent off – 100 percent.’